Kissing Jessica Stein: It is nice when a movie with a historically unconventional set up, in this case light romantic comedy between two bisexual women, avoids progressive platitudes and simply creates interesting characters, allowing them to interact naturally. The film can then rightly be described as a standard entry in the genre and a successful one. A funny script and a couple good central performances made for an entertaining film. Jennifer Westfeldt does a great job as the slightly ditzy perfectionist, never able to relax about anything. It is only through being open to sexuality that may not necessarily be right for her that she is able to open up to life as a whole. B

Torn Curtain: (spoilers) Paul Newman and Julie Andrews are strangely paired in a late Hitchcock thriller. Not Hitchcock's greatest work, but contains one scene I will probably rank as among his best. The killing of Gromek the leather jacketed intelligence agent had me enthralled. The rest of the film seemed half-baked and often weirdly executed. Newman's plan to spy seems ludicrous, even if merely symbolic. Hitchcock's decisions were sometimes very troubling. The bus ride escape lacks any excitement or suspense because the camera never leaves the bus. All the action is explained by people on the bus, why wasn't it done visually? I would love to hear from Yun on why it is one of your favorite Hitch flicks. C-